Poachers gunned down in Assam

An encounter between forest guards and two poachers in the early hours of the day in the Kaziranga National Park led to the death of the poachers.

According to sub-divisional officer Mrigesh N Baruah, a routine patrol spotted a team of poachers, and tried to stop them, but the poachers retaliated with gunfire and in the ensuing clash, two were killed while three others escaped. He added that the accused escaped towards the hills of Karbi Anglong.

Baruah also told ANI that forest officials and the police recovered two rifles, of which one was handmade; two empty shells and four live bullets of a .303 rifle; one axe and two mobile phones of the two poachers killed. One of the poachers has been identified as one Amar Bori of Tinisukia, who was arrested last year by the Bokakhat police for rhino poaching. The other poacher is still to be identified.